Local mom demands answers on anniversary of teen’s murder

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A local family says an error by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office may have allowed the person who murdered their son to go free.

Wednesday, Dari’one Flanigan’s mother, Vonette Nixon, sat down with Action News Jax on the first anniversary of the 18-year-old’s murder.

“He learned to die before he was able to live,” said Nixon.

The teen was shot and killed outside a BP gas station in Springfield on June 24, 2019.

Action News Jax first reported on Flanigan’s death two days later.

An investigation by Action News Jax later revealed that JSO violated its own policy by not sending an alert notifying the public of the teen’s murder.

RELATED: JSO violated its own policy by failing to send notification of teen’s murder

A spokesperson for the office admitted to the error when pushed for answers in July.

Nixon explained, “We were failed, because Monday evening ‘til Wednesday –— two days had went by and no one knew about Dari’one Flanigan’s case except his immediate family.”

The mother’s attorney told Action News Jax that the notifications are critical for transparency and tracking down killers.

Kirby Johnson, an attorney with Phillips and Hunt, explained, “The more people who are aware of what happened, the more people come forward with information –— especially if they know that people are looking for information.”

According to Johnson, as of Wednesday, there had been no arrests in Flanigan’s murder.

He said a simple mistake could have made the difference for Flanigan’s mom.

Nixon said, “It has been 365 days since my son was gunned down and we don’t have anybody that has been held accountable.”

The family asked that anyone with information contact:

• Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at 904-630-0500
• First Coast Crime Stoppers (to remain anonymous) at 866-845-8477

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